The new Kia Sorento will get its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show
The new Kia Sorento – a seven seat SUV – is longer, lower and more aerodynamic than the current model. Its length has increased by 18mm and its drag coefficient drops to 0.38 – down from 0.43 – which will help with economy. And Kia says that the new Sorento has been set up to be more road-biased, without losing any of the Sorento’s off-road ability.
Top seller in the UK is expected to be the 2.2 litre diesel, which produces 194 bhp and 310lb/ft of torque and will come with a six speed manual or a six speed auto’ option. Which coupled with weight savings over the old model of up to 215kg – achieved by dumping the old ‘body on frame’ structure for a modern monocoque – should give better performance, improved economy and better dynamics.
The Sorento is also going up-market with options, which are expected to include keyless start, in-mirror reversing camera and a panoramic sunroof.
The all new Kia Sorento will get its début on 15th September at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and be launched in the UK on 1st February 2010. But we’ll have to wait a while before we get full specs and prices.
The old Kia Sorento made its name as a competitively prices Tow Car with a limited off road capability. It had a very useful 120-140kg nose weight capacity which made it ideal for heavy caravans and horse boxes. It will be interesting to see whether the new Sorento will sacrifice this advantage as the cost for a reduction in vehicle unladen weight thereby making it a less able towing vehicle.